Home Care in Bellville OH
If your elderly loved one has difficulty swallowing or chewing, you likely already know that meal times can become complicated very quickly. Try some of these techniques to see which work best for your elderly loved one.
Avoid Foods that Break up or Crumble Too Easily
When you serve your loved one foods that break up or crumble very easily, they’re likely to pose a significant problem simply getting them to her mouth. This is also a pretty good indication that the food might be too dry for her to swallow easily. The last thing that you want to do is frustrate your loved one so much with her food that she decides not to eat at all.
Serve Smaller Portions
By offering your loved one slightly smaller portions, the serving of food is less intimidating to her. Your loved one has a chance to simply try eating and if she’s ready for more afterward, it’s easy to offer up another serving. With larger foods, try cutting it up into smaller pieces before you bring the plate to the table.
Give Your Loved One Plenty of Time to Eat
Another problem that a loved one who has difficulty chewing and swallowing faces is that it takes much longer to eat. If you can leave plenty of time for your loved one to eat, she won’t feel rushed and potentially risk a bite that makes her choke or that doesn’t settle properly. If you’re directly feeding your loved one, make sure to leave plenty of time in between bites, as well. Your loved one might need extra time for a sip of water or even a reminder to swallow.
Make Sure Food Isn’t Too Hot or Too Dry to Eat
Another sure fire way to turn your loved one off to meal time is to offer her food at a temperature that she can’t eat or to make the food way too dry. Double check temperatures, particularly if your loved one is sensitive to hot foods, and offer sauces or gravies along with foods that are even a little bit on the drier side.
Your loved one’s home care providers may have other suggestions based on your loved one’s individual situation, too.
If you are considering hiring home care in Bellville, OH, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161. Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville, Mt. Gilead, Loudonville, Crestline, Galion, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, and the surrounding areas.
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